In the past few years, there has been a growing spotlight on women filmmakers, as more voices from diverse backgrounds are shaping the film industry. Across various film festivals, female directors, producers, writers, and cinematographers are driving a new wave of storytelling. These women are pushing boundaries and offering fresh perspectives that are transforming the future of filmmaking.
Film festivals have long served as important platforms for showcasing creative independent cinema, and in recent years, many have amplified the voices of women creators. It’s not just the topics and themes that are changing, but also the diversity of women behind the camera. Their films span from personal stories to powerful social messages. These films are more than just art, they are acts of empowerment, reflection, and change.
From fresh new characters to bold, inspiring social commentaries, the films of these directors are more than just art, they’re acts of empowerment and change. At this year’s various film festivals, the presence of women filmmakers is not just a highlight, it’s a continuous revolution. These filmmakers are challenging norms, redefining what it means to tell a compelling story, and offering a more inclusive vision of the world.
This read celebrates the innovative women who are not only attending these festivals, but changing the game. Here, we spotlight some of the most exciting female filmmakers whose work are set to captivate audiences, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impact on the festival’s legacy.
Sylvia Khoury
Sylvia Khoury, a multi-talented writer-director, is changing the game with her work in both theatre and film. Known for her powerful storytelling, Khoury’s film Heather offers a moving exploration of identity. The film follows Fadia, a recently widowed Lebanese housewife in her 60s, who decides to pursue her dream of acting by serving as a standardized patient for a medical student. But as Fadia begins to embody the white character of Heather, she realizes that Heather commands more respect than she does in her own life, leading Fadia to mix her performance with real life.
Khoury, who earned her MD from the Icahn School of Medicine and was a Pulitzer finalist for Drama in 2022 for Selling Kabul, continues to challenge norms with her unique voice. As the Berlind Playwright-in-Residence at Princeton, Khoury is also developing original TV projects with Plan B and FX. Her work shows how more women directors are changing the way stories are told and bringing new voices to the industry.
Francesca Canepa
Francesca Canepa, a Peruvian director based in Mexico City, is quickly making a mark in contemporary cinema with her socially conscious storytelling. Her short film El Silencio del Río, shot in the Peruvian Amazon, premiered at Berlinale 2020 and became the first Peruvian contender for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2021 Academy Awards. The film highlights Canepa's ability to create stunning visuals paired with powerful, emotional storytelling that speaks to universal themes.
Canepa’s feature film La Otra Orilla, selected for the 2024 Sundance Screenwriters Lab, represents a significant step in her career. The film tells unique, Latinx stories, highlighting her role as an important figure in cinema. Her work is part of a new wave of female filmmakers who are breaking traditional rules and making room for underrepresented voices to be heard worldwide.
Artemis Fannin
Artemis Fannin is a producer dedicated to elevating marginalized voices through cinema. With experience across major platforms, she has become a leader in inclusive storytelling. As Managing Producer at 371 Productions, she’s leading projects that highlight underrepresented perspectives. An alum of both the 2023 Southern Producers Lab and the 2023 Sundance Producers Intensive, Fannin is a key figure in a new wave of producers changing the film industry. Her work highlights how women producers are making an impact through innovative narratives that people all over the world can relate to.
Jane Schoenbrun
Jane Schoenbrun (they/she) is a non-binary American filmmaker, writer, and curator whose work is reshaping the boundaries of genre and identity in contemporary cinema. With a deep commitment to creating and supporting personal, art-driven stories, Schoenbrun’s work often explores the intersection of human connection and the complexities of modern life. Their feature We're All Going to the World's Fair, which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, captivated audiences with its innovative narrative and moving exploration of adolescence, online culture, and self-discovery. The film’s approach to storytelling earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth, establishing Schoenbrun as a strong, distinctive voice in indie cinema.
Schoenbrun’s films continue to challenge established norms, particularly in the realms of horror, sci-fi, and experimental cinema. Their commitment to blending personal storytelling with larger cultural themes highlights the power of non-binary directors to bring fresh perspectives to genres. This year, Schoenbrun was nominated for Best Director at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, further solidifying their growing influence in the industry. Their work not only amplifies diverse voices but also contributes to the increasing presence and impact of non-binary filmmakers.
Meryam Joobeur
Meryam Joobeur is an Academy Award-nominated Tunisian-American director whose work innovatively blends documentary and fiction to explore the depths of human nature. Based in Montréal, Canada, Joobeur’s compelling storytelling has earned her international acclaim. Her short films Gods, Weeds and Revolutions (2012) and Born in the Maelstrom (2017) have screened at numerous national and international festivals, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.
Joobeur’s 2018 Oscar-nominated short Brotherhood stands as a landmark achievement in her career, screening at over 150 festivals and winning 75 international awards. The film’s detailed depiction of family, identity, and conflict received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and powerful storytelling
As co-owner of the Tunisia-based production company Instinct Bleu, alongside producer Sarra Ben Hassen, Joobeur is committed to supporting new voices in cinema while nurturing diverse stories from across the globe. Her debut feature film Who Do I Belong To has already made an impact, earning a nomination at the Whistler Film Festival. Joobeur's ongoing commitment to storytelling is set to reshape narratives and amplify underrepresented voices, solidifying her role as a strong female leader in cinema.
Diana Peralta
Diana Peralta, a Dominican American writer, director, and creative producer from New York City, is a rising star in independent cinema. Her work is deeply rooted in exploring the complexities of identity, family dynamics, and personal struggle. Peralta’s latest film No Love Lost tells the story of a troubled young woman who brings her new husband home to meet her family, only to have her fiercely devoted sisters reveal the extremes they will go to protect one another. The film’s exploration of loyalty, love, and tension within family relationships showcases Peralta’s ability to craft emotional, thought-provoking female narratives.
Peralta’s debut feature, De Lo Mio, was a critical success and was later distributed by HBO and included in the Criterion Collection. The film solidified her as an important voice in contemporary cinema. Diana was also named one of Filmmaker magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film,” a testament to her growing influence in the industry. With No Love Lost, Peralta continues to demonstrate her skill at creating intimate, impactful stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
As the film industry continues to evolve, these filmmakers are doing more than just telling stories, they’re paving the way for the future. They are changing how films are made with honesty, bravery, and new ideas. Their films show how powerful stories can be, and how important it is for different voices to be heard. This is a big shift that will inspire filmmakers for years to come. The future of movies is female, and it’s more exciting than ever!
